You might not know who Jeremy Clarkson is. He’s an irascible, sometimes arrogant (yet likable) British car nut who made his living for 22 years as the main man on an automotive television show called Top Gear that was syndicated around the globe. While it might not be a household name in every corner of Montana, Top Gear is widely considered to be the most successful reality television show in the world.
So when Clarkson left the fast-paced world of supercars and tire smoke to run a real farm in the English countryside—on camera—it raised more than a few eyebrows. But against all odds, Clarkson’s Farm has become an unlikely hit, especially among farmers.
Now in its fourth season on Amazon Prime Video, the series has earned praise from the agriculture community in the UK for showing the real ups and downs of farming, while delivering a healthy dose of British humor. And believe it or not, this show about a 1,000-acre English farm might be one of the most relatable things on TV for Montana’s wheat and pulse producers.
Why British Farmers Love It
British farmers, especially the younger generation, have embraced the show not just because it’s entertaining, but because it puts farming in the spotlight in a way few shows have managed to do. Clarkson’s growing respect for the land, his support for local food, and his willingness to show the gritty side of farm economics have resonated across the UK. And his sidekick Kaleb Cooper—an actual farmer—has become something of a working-class hero in high-visibility coveralls.
Regenerative Agriculture Meets Prime Time
Season 3 includes a standout episode where Clarkson experiments with regenerative agriculture, a topic of interest with farmers here in Montana. With the guidance of Andy Cato, co-founder of Wildfarmed, Clarkson interplants wheat and pulses together—a method called intercropping designed to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizer while improving soil health.
Why pulses? Of course, you know the answer. Because they fix nitrogen and improve soil health. Why wheat? Because the UK is a bread-loving country. Intercropping the two allows for a more balanced, natural ecosystem in the soil. And while Clarkson may joke through much of it, the experiment is no laughing matter—it’s part of a broader conversation about how food is grown and how agriculture might evolve.
Why We Don’t See Intercropping Much in the U.S.
You may already know the answer to this one, too. Here’s why intercropping—the practice of planting pulses and wheat in the same field—isn’t common in Montana and the rest of the country:
- Harvest equipment isn’t set up to cleanly collect two crops with different heights and maturity rates.
- Post-harvest separation is a headache and adds cost.
- Crop insurance rules often don’t cover mixed crops or unconventional rotations.
- Market buyers prefer clean loads—which makes sense when a load of lentils shows up with wheat heads scattered throughout.
Still, it’s still interesting. And it’s hard not to admire the ambition behind the approach, and it opens the door for conversations about how we might adapt some of these practices, especially as regenerative agriculture gains ground.
Season 4 Is Here
The fourth season of Clarkson’s Farm was released on Amazon Prime Video, and if you haven’t seen it yet, now is a great time to start (but do yourself a favor and start with the first season). Whether you’re a pulse grower in the Golden Triangle, a seed cleaner, or just someone who enjoys a good story about someone learning the ropes, this series offers something of value.
It doesn’t shy away from the frustrations—red tape, weather disasters, and market losses are all front and center—but it also offers real laughs and sincere admiration for the hard work that goes into feeding a country.
Like Britain’s farmers, Montana producers may find Clarkson’s Farm both surprisingly relatable and a good time to boot.
Give it a try. You just might see a bit of your own operation in the fields of south central England.
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